Struggle Well: Why Doing Hard Things May Be the Best Path After High School
“It all comes down to the ability to actually do something that is difficult and learn from it.”
That line kicked off a recent episode of the Unbound Podcast, and it’s stayed with me ever since. Why? Because it highlights a truth we often forget in our fame, fortune, and power-obsessed culture: doing hard things isn’t a distraction from success—it’s the path to it.
If you’re a high school student—or the parent of one—looking for what’s next, it might be time to rethink the traditional college track. In this article, I want to explore what it means to “struggle well,” and why that concept could radically transform how we approach post-high school decisions.
Why the Traditional College Path Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Let’s be clear: I’m not anti-college. I’m a first-generation college graduate. College is a good tool—for the right person, at the right time, for the right reasons.
But for a growing number of students, college after high school is not the best next step. Why?
- They don’t know what they want to study and would rather test out their interests instead of committing to a four year degree
- They want more than a strictly academic educational experience
- They don’t want to deal with student loans
- They want a stronger faith foundation before launching into the world
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news? There is an alternative.
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Why Today’s Young Adults Feel Fragile—and What We Can Do About It
On the podcast, we talked about the rising fragility we’re seeing in today’s teens and young adults. But let’s be clear: this fragility isn’t because students are lazy or entitled. It’s because they’ve been raised in a culture that lacks eternal hope.
Without a bigger story—without faith, meaning, or purpose—why struggle? Why do hard things when there’s no confidence that those things matter in the long run?
This cultural disconnect is one of the biggest obstacles students face. But it’s also a huge opportunity. Because the antidote isn’t more ease. It’s purposeful challenge.
At Unbound, we believe that growth happens when students are given the opportunity—and the support—to struggle well.
What Does It Mean to Struggle Well?
Struggling well doesn’t mean failing without guidance. It means taking on hard, meaningful work in an environment where failure is part of learning and growth is the goal.
That’s what Unbound is all about.
In our programs, students don’t just attend classes. They lead teams, launch real projects, solve tough problems, and engage in deep discussions about faith and calling. They make mistakes. They get back up. They grow.
And most importantly, they do it in community, surrounded by peers and mentors who believe in them and walk with them.
How Struggle Builds Skills—and Character
When students embrace challenge with support, they don’t just survive—they thrive. Here’s what we see again and again:
- Confidence replaces fear
- Resilience replaces fragility
- Purpose replaces confusion
- Clarity comes through action—not planning
Whether it’s learning to manage a team, presenting in front of a group, navigating conflict, or wrestling with their own identity in Christ, our students build both job-ready skills and life-ready character.
And they don’t do it alone.
Parents: You’re Not Falling Behind. You’re Asking the Right Questions.
If you’re a parent wrestling with your child’s next step after high school, let me reassure you: you’re not crazy for questioning the college default.
You want your student to grow in faith, develop real skills, and find clarity before investing tens of thousands of dollars into something they may not be ready for. That’s wise.
That’s why so many families are turning to Unbound—not as a delay, but as a launchpad.
Why Programs Like Unbound Work
Unbound isn’t just another online course or Christian college alternative. It’s a proven framework for personal growth, spiritual formation, and professional readiness.
Through programs like Ascend, students experience:
- Project-based learning that builds leadership and communication skills
- Live events that challenge and connect students
- Mentorship that supports spiritual growth
- A Christian community that fosters accountability and belonging
- Flexible, affordable paths to earn college credit if desired
All while learning how to think critically, lead effectively, and live purposefully.
You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
Here’s something we emphasize over and over at Unbound:
“You don’t gain clarity before you move—you gain clarity as you move.”
Waiting for a clear vision before taking the next step can paralyze students. Instead, we invite them to step forward in faith, engage in meaningful challenges, and watch purpose unfold through real experience.
It’s not easy. But it’s powerful.
This Isn’t a Detour—It’s the Road Less Traveled, and That’s the Point
Choosing an alternative path after high school takes courage. But for the right student, it can be the most impactful decision they’ll ever make.
At Unbound, we believe that a generation willing to struggle well—on purpose and with purpose—can change the world.
And it all starts by asking a better question than “What college are you going to?”
Start with:
- “Who are you becoming?”
- “What story are you living?”
- “Where is God calling you next?”
🎧 Want to Learn More?
Listen to the Unbound Podcast episode that inspired this post and explore more conversations around Christian community, calling, and doing hard things: 👉 Visit beunbound.us/podcast
Final Thoughts
If you’re a student unsure about college—or a parent wondering if there’s a better way—Unbound is here to help.
We’re not offering an escape from hard things. We’re inviting you to step into them—with support, with purpose, and with a community that believes you were made for more.
Struggle well. You’ll be stronger for it.
Jonathan Brush is the President and CEO of Unbound, a homeschool graduate, and a homeschool dad of six. He worked for nine years as a Director of Admissions for a private, liberal arts college, and then spent over ten years working in non-traditional higher education.
Jonathan loves Unbound and Unbound students and dreams every single day about new ways to connect them to each other. He gets to work with the world’s best team and the most amazing student body in the history of the world (which is just as awesome as it sounds), and field questions about Rule 4 violations (ask an Unbound student to explain). Jonathan and his family make their home in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
